South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed two senior aides after an embarrassing administrative error led to the appointment of a deceased individual to a panel tasked with overseeing discussions on elections scheduled for December, according to media reports.
The controversy arose after a presidential decree dated 30 December listed Steward Soroba Budia as a member of the panel. Local media later revealed that Budia, a member of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), had died five years ago, prompting widespread ridicule on social media.
In an official statement that did not provide specific reasons, the presidency announced the dismissal of press secretary David Amour Major and Valentino Dhel Maluet, the chief administrator at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. The statement said the president had relieved them of their duties and expressed gratitude for their service. It was signed by Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima and published on the president’s official Facebook page.
In a separate statement issued on Monday, Amour said the president’s office had relied on the “accuracy and currency” of names submitted by stakeholders for inclusion on the panel. He acknowledged that inadequate verification by one of those parties had led to the error, though he did not identify the stakeholder. The UDP has not commented.
It remains unclear whether Amour’s public statement contributed directly to his dismissal, though there had been speculation beforehand that he would be removed.
Budia had previously been a signatory to the 2018 peace agreement that sought to end years of conflict following South Sudan’s independence in 2011. The newly formed panel includes representatives from various political groups and is intended to prepare the ground for long delayed elections.
However, uncertainty continues to surround the electoral process as fighting persists in parts of the country. Previous polls have been repeatedly postponed, with Kiir remaining in office since independence.
The United Nations estimates that more than 180,000 people have recently been displaced by renewed violence, particularly in Jonglei state, where government forces are battling fighters aligned with suspended Vice President Riek Machar.
Machar, who denies charges of murder, treason and crimes against humanity, is currently under house arrest. Under the 2018 peace deal, he and Kiir were meant to serve together in a unity government following a five year civil war triggered by their political rivalry.